Arkéa Samsic have descended down the UCI rankings after the points Nairo Quintana won at the Tour de France were taken away. The French team remain in a position to ascend to World Tour, however they now have the pressure to keep performing strongly if they want to keep the dream alive.
Taking into account Raúl Banqueri's new update, the UCI classification has changed significantly in it's last spots today, as Nairo Quintana had his whole Tour de France UCI points tally eliminated after two blood tests have revealed the presence of tramadol. His sixth place has been taken away, and so have the 400 points he directly won from that position, plus the points he's earned throughout the race.
The Colombian has over the last three seasons boosted Arkéa into a position at World Tour from 2023 onwards, and he has this week signed a new three-year deal with the French team. He'll be at the start of the Vuelta a Espana on Friday as he was not suspended.
Arkéa now see themselves in 15th position just behind Cofidis. They stand in a very similar position to that of Team BikeExchange - Jayco, EF Education-EasyPost and Movistar Team where they are trying to bring in crucial points to avoid a possible strong surge from Lotto Soudal and Israel - Premier Tech.
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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Due to Nairo Quintana's disqualification from the 2022 Tour de France, Arkéa loses 455 points in the race for promotion to the WorldTour. Arkéa still has a high chance to get the WorldTour licence for 2023. Quintana's presence in #LaVuelta22 could be key.
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